Author: Yue Xiaoyu Source: X, @yuexiaoyu111

First the conclusion, one sentence explanation: ERC -7802 is a cross-chain standard that extends new features to existing ERC-20 tokens. Standard cross-chain functions can be achieved by calling the ERC-7802 interface.

ERC-7802 is a cross-chain token standard jointly proposed by the Optimism team and the Uniswap team. The goal is to allow tokens to be cross-chain. Maintain a unified standard.

We can see that the cooperation between Uniswap and Optimism is constantly deepening: Unichain, which Uniswap previously announced to launch, is a member of the OP Superchain ecosystem, and now it is proposed together This cross-chain standard has been adopted.

ERC-7802 was proposed to standardize cross-chain operations, which is important for DEX (decentralized exchanges) like Uniswap and L2 solutions like Optimism are very important.

Token standards on Ethereum have been evolving, from ERC-20 to ERC-721, ERC-1155, etc. ERC-7802 is part of this evolution and focuses on solving this specific problem of cross-chain.

Overall, the design principle of ERC-7802 is "bridge agnosticism": in cross-chain scenarios, tokens should be distributed as much as possible The contract is separated from the specific cross-chain bridging technology or protocol.

This is a modular design that actually transfers the complexity to the cross-chain bridge and separates the cross-chain logic from the token contract. Makes the structure of the token contract simpler and more modular.

The implementation of tokens only needs to focus on its basic functions, without having to consider the specific implementation of cross-chain transfers.

The bridge protocol takes on all the complexities related to cross-chain transfers, including transaction verification, asset locking and release, cross-chain communication protocols, etc.

ERC-7802 defines a standardized interface for how tokens interact with cross-chain bridges, but does not care about how these bridges are implemented.

Any bridge protocol that complies with ERC-7802 can use this interface to perform cross-chain operations without modifying the token contract itself.

ERC-7802 defines a standardized interface, which has two key functions:

(1) crosschainMint: Mint tokens on the target chain for the recipient as a result of destroying tokens from the source chain.

(2) crosschainBurn: Destroy tokens on the source chain and initiate cross-chain transfers, usually the starting point of cross-chain transfers.

It should be noted that cross-chain casting and destruction are different from local casting and destruction. In cross-chain operations, the total circulating supply across all chains remains the same because tokens are transferred between chains rather than actually being created or destroyed.

ERC-7802 contracts support ERC-165, an interface detection standard that allows smart contracts to declare which interfaces they support. This helps ensure contract compatibility for cross-chain operations.

More importantly, ERC-7802 is compatible with ERC-20.

ERC-20 is a widely used fungible token standard on Ethereum, so it is very important that the new standard is compatible with ERC-20, making Existing tokens can be more easily transferred across chains into new ecosystems.

In this way, existing tokens can exist as ordinary ERC-20 tokens, and then realize cross-chain functions through the ERC-7802 interface.

Solving the experience problem of multi-chain is a major trend. ERC-7802 actually establishes a cross-chain standard from the lowest protocol layer, which is consistent with " Chain abstraction” narratives are complementary.

ERC-7802 directly supports the goal of chain abstraction by providing a standardized cross-chain token transfer protocol, which is to allow assets toSeamlessly flow across different chains.

The implementation of chain abstraction requires the synergy of multiple technical standards and protocols, and ERC-7802 can be regarded as one of the key building blocks.

It can be said that ERC-7802 provides a specific solution for chain abstraction at a technical level and solves the technical problem of cross-chain transfer of tokens. Abstractions leverage these solutions to provide higher-level user experiences and application development frameworks.

More importantly, the standard proposed by OP also lays the foundation for the interoperability of the OP Superchain ecosystem.

This protocol standard is still in the discussion stage, and we can continue to pay attention.